Folding table



Jan. 2, 1934. F. B Y 1,941,927

FOLDING TABLE Filed Nov. 2, 1931 Patented Jan. 2, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to collapsible tables or similar supporting devices and refers more particularly to foldable ironing tables or boards.

One'of the principal objects of this invention consists in the novel means employed for both collapsing and expanding the table distinguished by its simplicity in construction and operation.

Another advantageous feature of this invention resides in the provision of collapsible supporting structure for the table designed and constructed to rigidly support the table when the latter is in its extended or operative position.

A further object of this invention consists in the provision of a folding table having a top section and foldable supporting sections collapsible and expandible upon manipulation of a single oper-.

ating member.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a collapsible ironing table having a top section rounded at both ends and having a supporting section provided with laterally spaced legs adapted to extend beyond one of the aforesaid ends of the top section in the foldedposition thereof for supporting the collapsed table in its upright position.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing,

wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible table constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 isa side elevational view of the table 5 showing the same partially collapsed;

Figure. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the table;

Figure 4 is an end elevational table shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

For -the purpose of illustration, I have shown this invention as employed in connection with a collapsibleironing table having in general a top section 10 and a pair of foldable supporting sections 11 and 12 hingedly connected to the top section adjacent the rear end thereof in a manner to be presently described. The supporting section 12 extends diagonally forwardly from the rear end of the board and is operatively connected to the top section of the latter adjacent the forward end of the same by means of a diagonal brace 13. The forward end of the brace 13 is suitably hingedly connected to the under face of the top section 10 view of the adjacent the forward end thereof, while the rear end of the brace has a sliding pivotal connection; with the supporting section 12 and is suitably connected to an operating bar 14 intermediate the ends of the latter by means of a strut 15 arranged substantially perpendicular to the bar 14 in the extended position of the table so as to trans mit a portion ofthe load stress on the top section 10 to the bar. The forward end of the operating bar is suitably pivotally connected to 65. the free end portion of the brace 13 and the rear end portion of the bar has a sliding connection with the supporting section 11.

With the construction as briefly outlined above, it will be apparent that upward movement of the 70 free end of the bar 14 from its position illustrated in Figure 3 wherein the table is shown in its extended position causes the section 11 to swing upwardly owing to the connection thereof with theobar and simultaneously effects an upward 76 movement of the vertical strut 15. Initial upward movement of the vertical strut disengages the rear end of the brace 13 from its latched position relative to the supporting section 12 in a manner to be presently described and con- 80 tinued movement of the strut by the bar causes the rear end of the brace to slide rearwardly upon the section 12 and in so doing move the latter section and top section 10 toward each other. Movement of the sections 10 and 12 toward each other by the bar 14 as specified simultaneously effects movement of the section 11 to its folded position since the latter is also operatively connected to the bar.

Assuming now that it is desired to extend the table from its collapsed position, it will be apparent that it is merely necessary for the operator to grasp the free end of the bar from its position adjacent the under surface of the top section 10 and move the same downwardly. In swinging the bar 14 downwardly about its pivotal connection at the forward end of the section 12, it will be apparent that the section 11 will be moved outwardly owing to its sliding connection with the rear end portion of the bar and that the lower end of the brace 13 will be simultaneously moved rearwardly relative to the section 12 through the intermeshing of the strut 15. In view of the fact that the forward end of the brace 13 is pivotally connected to the top section, it necessarily follows that rearward movement of the rear end of the brace relative to the section 12 causes the latter and top section to move to their extended positions.

Referring now more in detail to the particular construction of the table, it will be noted that the supporting section 11 assumes a substantially vertical position with respect to the top section 10 in the extended position thereof and comprises a pair of transversely spaced legs 16 inclined laterally outwardly from the top section 12 so as to provide for rigidly supporting the top section in its operative position. The lower ends of the legs are connected together by means of a crossbrace 17 interposed between the legs and having the opposite end portions secured to the inner sides of the legs in any suitable manner. The upper ends of the legs 16 are connected together by a orossbrace 18 also interposed between the legs and suitably connected thereto. Extending between the crossbraces and arranged perpendicular thereto is a pair of laterally spaced guides 19 having slots 20 in the inner surfaces thereof for receiving the free end portions of a pin 22 extending transversely through the bar 14 adjacent the rear end thereof. The slot and,

pin connection is such as to'provide for swinging movement of the section 11 in the manner previously pointed out upon. manipulation of the'bar l4.

The supporting section 12 extends diagonally forwardly from'the section 11 and is of such length as 'to engagethe floor or other support at a point in advance of the forward end of the top section so as to not only provide a maximum support for the latter in the extended position of the table, but to also form a support for the table in its upright collapsed position. In detail, the section. 12 is also formed of a pair of legs 25 secured in lateral spaced relation to each other by means of a series of crossbraces 26, 27 and 28. The crossbrace 26 at the rear ends of the legs is suitably hingedly connected to the under side of the table as at 29 and is also similarly connected to the upper end of the section 11' by means ,of the hinges 30. The front crossbrace 28, on the other hand, is hingedly connected; intermediate the ends thereof, by means of the hinge 31 to the forward end of the operating bar 14.

As previously pointed out, the forward end portion of the top section 10 is supported from the section 12 by means of the brace 13. The brace 13 extends diagonally rearwardly from the forward end portion of the board and is provided with a cross member 32 at the forward end thereof hingedly connected to the under surface of the. board by means of the hinges 33 so designed as to permit folding the brace from the position thereof shown in Figure 1 to a position in juxtarelation to the under surface of the top section 10. The rear end of the brace 13 is also provided with a cross member 34 having projections 35 extending outwardly from the opposite ends of the same and adapted to slidably engage in suitable slots 36 formed in the inner sides of the legs 25 and extending longitudinally of the latter. The length of the slots 36 is so determined as to provide for the necessary travel .-j of the lower end of the brace 13 upon movement of the same fromits position illustrated in Figure 1 to its collapsed position hereinbefore set forth. In the extended position of the table, the projections 35 normally assume a position in i the forward ends of the slots 36 and in order to prevent accidental sliding movement of the lower end of the brace 13 from the position thereof illustrated in Figure 1, the forward ends of the slots are notched downwardly as at 37 for receiving the projections.

In order to simultaneously and automatically move the supporting section 12 upon manipulation of the bar 14 to fold the section 11 as previously stated, the strut 15 is provided having the upper end hingedly connected to the cross member 34 intermediate the ends thereof by means of the hinge 38 and having the lower end similarly connected to the operating bar 14 intermediate the ends thereof. As stated above, the strut assumes a position substantially perpendicular to the operating bar in the extended position of the table so as to transmit a certain amount of stress imparted to the supporting section 12 through the brace 13 to the operating bar 14 thereby permitting forming the supporting section 12 of relatively light material. The hinge connections aforesaid between opposite ends of the strut, operating bar and brace is such that initial upward movement of the free end of the operating bar 14 about its pivotal connection 31 effectsanupward movement of the strut 15 to disengage the projections 35 from the notches 37 and continued upward movement of the bar causes the strut to fold over the brace andin so doing. moves the rear end of the brace rearwardly in the slots 36to collapse the table in the manner previously described.

From the foregoing description, it is believed obvious that I have provided a folding ironing table composed of a relatively few number. of parts and capable of being manufactured and assembled with facility. It is also believed apparent from the previous description that I have provided a folding table wherein the top section and both the supporting sections thereof may be collapsed or expanded by the manipulation vof a .single operating member.

What I claim as my invention is: r

1. A folding table having a top section, a supporting section for the top section having one end thereof pivotally connected to the latter adjacent one end of the same for movement from a collapsed position adjacent the under surface of the top section toan extended position wherein the same extends diagonally downwardly toward the opposite end of the top section, means connecting the forward end portion of the top section to the supporting section including a diagonal brace having one end pivotally connected to the top section and having the opposite end slidably engaging the supporting section intermediate the ends of the same, and an operating bar pivotally connected to the supporting-section adjacent the free end thereof and operatively connected intermediate the ends to the sliding end of said brace whereby movement of the operating bar about its pivotal connection aforesaid effects a relative movement of the top and supporting sections to the aforesaid positions thereof. i

2. A folding table having a top section, a supporting section having the rear end pivotally connected to thetop sectionadjacent the rear end thereof for movement from a collapsed position adjacent'the under side of the top section to an extended position wherein the same extends diagonally downwardly toward the forward end of the top section, a diagonal brace having the forward end pivotally connected to the top section and'having the rear end engaging the supporting section for sliding movement longitudinally thereof, an operating bar having the forward end pivotally connected to the supporting section adjacent the corresponding end of the same, and a-strut having one end pivotally lot connected to the bar intermediate the ends of the same and having the opposite end pivotally connected to the sliding end aforesaid of the brace whereby movement of the bar about its pivotal connection effects a movement of the rear end of the brace longitudinally of the supporting section to move the latter and top section to the aforesaid positions thereof.

3. A folding table having a top section, a supporting section pivotally connected to the' top section adjacent one end thereof and movable from a collapsed position adjacent the top section to an extended position wherein the same extends diagonally downwardly from the top section, said supporting section comprising laterally spaced leg portions having longitudinally extending slots in the inner sides thereof, a diagonal brace having one end pivotally connected to the top section adjacent the free end of the same and having the opposite end slidably engageable within said slots, an operating bar having one end pivotally connected to the supporting section adjacent the free end thereof, and a strut having one end pivotally connected to the bar intermediate the ends of the same and having the opposite end pivotally connected to the slidable end of said brace whereby movement of the bar in opposite directions about its pivotal connection alternately effects movement of the sections toward and away from each other.

4. A folding table having a top section, a foldable supporting section adapted to assume a position substantially perpendicular to the top section in the extended position thereof, a second foldable supporting section extending diagonally downwardly from the upper end of the supporting section aforesaid in the extended position thereof, an operating bar having one end pivotally connected to the diagonal supporting section adjacent the free end of the same and having the opposite end portion extending adjacent the first mentioned supporting section for movement longitudinally of the latter, a connec-- tion between said bar and said first mentioned supporting section operable upon oscillation of said bar about its pivotal connection to alternately move said section to its collapsed and extended positions, a brace having one end pivotally connected to the top section and having the opposite end engaging the diagonal section for sliding movement longitudinally thereof, a strut pivotally connecting said brace to the operating bar intermediate the ends of the latter whereby oscillation of the bar about its pivotal connection also effects movement of the diagonal supporting section alternately toward and away from the top section aforesaid.

5. A folding table having a top section, a supporting section pivotally connected to the top section for swinging movement relative thereto, a second supporting section extending diagonally from the first named supporting section in the operative position of the table and having the upper end pivotally supported adjacent the point of pivotal connection of said first named section, a brace having the upper end pivotally connected to the top section at a point spaced from the connection of the first named support with the top section and having the lower end connected to the diagonal supporting section for sliding movement in the direction of the length of the latter, an operating bar pivotally connected .to the second supporting section adjacent the lower end thereof for swinging movement toward the top section, and means connecting the lower end of the brace with the operating bar intermediate the ends of the latter operable upon swinging the free end of the bar toward the top section to move the lower end of the brace relative to the diagonal supporting sec tion and thereby collapse the latter and top section.

6. A folding table having a top section, a supporting section pivotally connected to the top section for swinging movement relative thereto, a second supporting section extending diagonally from the first named supporting section in operative position of the table and having the upper end pivotally supported adjacent the point of pivotal connection of said first named section with the top section, a brace having the upper end pivotally connected to the top section at a point spaced from the connection of the first named support with the top section and having the lower end connected to the diagonal section for sliding movement in the direction of the length of the latter, an operating bar pivotally connected to the second named section adjacent the lower end thereof for swinging movement toward the top section, means connecting the lower end of the brace with the operating bar intermediate the ends of the latter operable upon swinging the free end of the bar toward the top section to move the lower end of the brace relative to the diagonal supporting section and thereby collapse the latter and top section, and means also connecting said bar with the first named supporting section for folding the latter at the same time the aforesaid sections are folded by manipulation of the bar.

'7. A folding table having a top section, a supporting section pivotally connected at the upper end to the top section, a second supporting section extending diagonally from the first named supporting section in the extended position of the table and having the upper end pivotally supported at a point adjacent the pivotal connection between the first named section and top section, a brace having the upper end pivotally connected to the top section at a point spaced from the pivotal connection of the supporting sections and having the lower end connected to the diagonal supporting section for sliding movement longitudinally of the latter, means operable in the operative position of the table to engage the lower end of the brace requiring the latter to be moved upwardly prior to sliding the same longitudinally of the diagonal supporting section, an operating bar pivotally connected at the forward end to the diagonal section for swinging movement toward the top section, means connecting the lower end of the brace to the operating bar intermediate the ends of the latter whereby initial upward swinging movement of the operating bar eifects a corresponding upward movement of the lower end of the brace to release the aforesaid means and continued upward movement of said bar provides for sliding the lower end of the brace longitudinally of the diagonal supporting member to collapse the latter and top supporting section, and means connecting the operating bar adjacent the free end thereof with the first named supporting section for also collapsing the latter.

JOHN F. BRADBURY. 

